Navigating a Bureaucratic Maze to Renew Food Stamp Benefits Posted on July 23, 2015 by Jacquelyn Simone in The New York Times Three months after Delbert Shorter’s food stamps were cut off, he still does not know why. At first, he thought that his $180 a month allotment from the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly called SNAP or food stamps, was just late. Bu ..Read More
New York Acts to Mandate $15 Minimum Wage in Fast Food Posted on July 22, 2015 by Jacquelyn Simone in The New York Times The labor protest movement that fast-food workers in New York City set off nearly four years ago has led to higher wages for workers all over the country. On Wednesday, it finally paid off for the people who started it. A panel appointed by Gov. Andrew M. Cuom ..Read More
The Diaper Dilemma: 30 Percent of Moms Can’t Afford Diapers Posted on July 21, 2015 by Jacquelyn Simone in The Atlantic Infants use about 240 diapers per month. A year’s supply of diapers costs $936. That means a single mother mother working full time at the minimum wage can expect to spend 6 percent of her annual pay on Pampers alone. Meanwhile, the two biggest programs that ..Read More
A Golden Girl’s Legacy Brings Hope to LGBT Youth Posted on July 21, 2015 by Jacquelyn Simone in The Huffington Post Despite a slew of recent gay rights victories, advocates estimate that hundreds of thousands of LGBT teens around the country are still rejected by their families. A lot of these kids end up homeless in New York City, which has only about 100 beds dedicated to ..Read More
Today’s Read: Study Provides Further Evidence for Supportive Housing Model Posted on July 21, 2015 by Jacquelyn Simone We’ve known for decades that supportive housing – pairing on-site services with the stability of a permanent home – is one of the most powerful tools in ending homelessness for people with mental illness and other special needs. A study recently publishe ..Read More
More Children are Living in Poverty Than Before the Recession Posted on July 21, 2015 by Jacquelyn Simone in Fortune According to a new report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the economic recovery seems to be leaving one group in particular behind: children. 22% of American children, or more than 16 million kids, were living in poverty as of 2013, according to the report ..Read More
Residents at Brooklyn Family Shelter Struggle Through Scorching Weather Posted on July 20, 2015 by Jacquelyn Simone in Pix11 As New Yorkers sweat through another scorching day, finding relief is first priority for many people. Whether it’s grabbing an icy, water or taking a dip in a city pool, Mayor Bill de Blasio says those are all good ideas but the sweltering heat should also b ..Read More
Descending on Essex Crossing to Make Points About Homelessness and Union Labor Posted on July 20, 2015 by Jacquelyn Simone in The Lo-Down A coalition representing groups that advocate for the homeless, labor unions and other progressive organizations marched from First Houses, the public housing development on East 3rd Street, to Delancey Street last Thursday evening. The activists held a “sle ..Read More
Substance Use, Mental Health Improves Among Homeless Following Housing First Intervention Posted on July 20, 2015 by Jacquelyn Simone in Healio Housing First with intensive case management improved housing stability and community functioning and reduced alcohol-related problems among homeless individuals with mental health and substance use disorders. “To address the pervasive problem of homelessnes ..Read More
